Newsletter #1 2017

All-in-one Service
Remember that we offer a service to certify for safety, EMC and also a free listing on SAA Marketplace for your client’s product for an inclusive price of AUD 865. All within 5 working days. This is great value for the client and takes care of everything they need to supply the importer for RCM compliance.

Update to RCM Levels

There is a significant amendment to AS/NZS 4417.2 which covers the specified levels for high risk and medium risk electrical products. The amendment came into force on January 14, 2017. The following products have been added to the level 3 list for Australia:
-Building Wiring Cables
-Airconditioners with flammable refrigerant
-Double capped LED luminaires (LED tubes)

The following products have been re-classified as level 2:
-Simple portable luminaires within the scope of annex ZA of AS/NZS 60598.2.4.
-Film Projectors
-Sewing Machines

The following product has been added as a new level 2 item:
-Airconditioners with non-flammable refrigerant

It will be a requirement that these products are marked with the RCM. As the RCM is required for EMC, this may not have much of an impact on our clients. However, it is significant that the suppliers of buiding wiring cables (also known locally as TPS) must now mark the RCM.

We anticipate that the NSW declared articles list will be updated to reflect these changes very soon.

There are also new level 2 items for New Zealand, notably including Lithium Ion Batteries which must now be tested to IEC 62133, Mains-socket mounted nightlights, Battery-operated tools, ELV luminaires, Glue Guns and DC Isolators for use with PV installations.

Please note that only importers in Australia can apply for RCM registration. This cannot be done by overseas companies.

Standards

Please note that there have been some updates to common standards in recent times and we require the following versions:
-AS/NZS 60335.1:2011+A1-2 (until 19 October 2017, after which A3 will also be required)
-AS/NZS 61347.1:2016
-AS/NZS 60950.1:2015
-AS/NZS 3100:2009+A1-4.
If you are reporting to IEC, please make sure that the Australian deviations are covered to the latest version of the AS/NZS standard.Power Supplies

Power supplies are Declared Articles in Australia, or level 3 items under the EESS legislation. This means they must be approved to the standard suitable for their use. AS/NZS 4417.2 is specific that power supplies approved to AS/NZS 60065 or AS/NZS 60950.1 must only be used for products classified as AV or IT equipment respectively. If the power supply is not being used for the equipment specified by the standard in the Certificate of Approval, then it is not considered to be approved for use. A good example recently was where a manufacturer had sourced an AS/NZS 60950.1 approved adaptor and was using it with a portable LED luminaire. This is not allowed. Any power supply used with LED lighting must be approved to AS/NZS 61347.1 and AS/NZS 61347.2.13. The following is the full definition from the Declared Articles LIst:

36. Power Supply or Charger [B.2.36 Power supply or charger]
An electrical device which—
(a) provides an output not exceeding 50 V a.c. or 120 V ripple free d.c.; and
(b) is a type to provide supply to separate luminaires; or
(c) is a household type for either charging batteries or to provide a supply to separate equipment.
But does not include:
(d) Information Technology and Audio Video equipment that can use the output to also transmit data that is not associated
with the power supply or charger function.
Class Specification:
General use:
AS/NZS 61558.2.6:2009+A1; or
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 (switched-mode types)
Electronic or transformer types designated for use with specific electronic equipment:
AS/NZS 60065:2012+A1; or
AS/NZS 60950.1:2011+A1 (until 1 Sept 2017) or AS/NZS 60950.1:2015; or
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 (switched-mode types)
Note: Consideration is being given to the alternative adoption of IEC 62368:2015
Toys:
AS/NZS 61558.2.7:2008+A1; or
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 (switched-mode types)
Bells or chimes:
AS/NZS 61558.2.8:2011+A1; or
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 (switched-mode types)
Lighting purposes:
Electronic type:
LED modules: AS/NZS IEC 61347.2.13:2013
Other: AS/NZS 61347.2.2:2007
Ferromagnetic type: AS/NZS 61558.2.6:2009+A1
Handlamps:
AS/NZS 61558.2.9:2011+A1
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 (switched-mode types)
Fence energisers:
AS/NZS 61558.2.6:2009+A1 together with AS/NZS 60335.2.76:2003+A1-4; or
AS/NZS 61558.2.16:2010+A1-3 together with AS/NZS 60335.2.76:2003+A1-4 (switched-mode types)
Battery chargers
AS/NZS 60335.2.29:2004+A1-2

We urge you to disseminate this information to any affected parties, as it is important that our clients do not invalidate their approvals.